AME C6 front clip

[Motorcitydak]

After doing a lot of internet research, Im thinking that the Art Morrison C6 front clip in my '68 Charger. I think it will have the best possible geometry, will be light weight, relatively cheap, strong and parts are easy to come by. Im just asking for feedback and pics from any of you guys out there who may have installed a front clip in a custom application or have one of those ready made chassis

[ProdigyCustoms]

Awesome piece, one of our most popular products we sell. Using on on our own Project Unfair.

[MoparCar]

Steve,
I've researched that clip for my Challenger build also. Would you be chopping off the front rails or grafting in the straight section of the bikini clip? Pretty major project since it will not bolt in. I had the diagrams sent to me for measurements. Looks like a new custom rad support, new inner fenders, and at least a custom pan. I measured at ride height and it appears you could graft it in but the top of the AME rails will be higher than factory if I recall correctly and protrude in from the factory rails which may push you to custom headers. The track width on my e-body is fine, not sure on a b-body? I think Foose grafted the clip into the Terra Cuda project he did last year or so. It is very hard to find pictures of that build. I have a few on my work computer but it shows the graft painted so it's a little hard to see the details.

There is a thread on Lat-G regarding another build with a custom C-6 based clip who will build with the factory taper to the rails if you want to graft it in. I'm not sure he is a sponsor here so PM me if you want some info.

Everything I hear about the AME clip is top notch. I wish someone besides XV Motorsports would cater to the higher end Mopar guys. I was really hoping SEMA would turn something similar to DSE for Mopars for both the front and rear suspension. Everything for Mopars right now seems to have a compromise in design (to short of 3rd link, high ride height, MII based, etc.).

Wes

[Motorcitydak]

That is really what I realized. I was going to spend a lot of $$ on bolt on parts that will be better than stock, but not completely badass like I am going for. Then I decided to go back over everything I had already looked at. I was on AME's site and they sell the crossmember, arms and spindles for $3600 or something. After thinking it over for a little bit, the decision came pretty easy.

I am not completely sure what I need from AME, I guess I am not sure the difference between the bikini clip or grafting it in. I believe the bikini to be the x member and UCA mounts welded to 2 48 inch long frame rails that then get welded onto my car in place of the factory frame rails. I can honestly say that I have no problem cutting sections of my frame out and a new lower rad support should be no big deal either.

Do you know/remember the track width of the AME setup?

[MrQuick]

I believe you can order to suit.

you see that Fury project? https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?52504-64-Plymouth-Fury/page9
Vince

[ssealeycpa]

Do yourself a favor and call them up! They are great people to work with and their products are excellently engineered and are sheer pieces of art to look at. Maybe Matt Jones (member/sponsor here) can chime in on your situation but I cannot say enough good things about them. I have AME front and rear subframes on my 67 Camaro and once I get it finished......... my 1968 will get the same upgrades.

[wellis77]

All the work your doing to stick that big fat meat under the front fenders of your car along with all the other custom stuff, I'm surprised you aren't going the full chassis route.

AME definitely does awesome stuff. I would still be ordering a full AME chassis if I could have found a more inexpensive way to do 6x4.5" bolt pattern to use my Viper wheels on the C6 front.

[MoparCar]

Also,
Keep in mind that along with AME, Jakes Rod Shop will custom build a C-6 based front clip. The Chris Alston universal G-Machine crossmember seems versatile for many applications. I think it is available in two track widths with a power rack and many other widths with a manual rack. Theirs is the type you cut a verticle notch in your factory frame rails, box them and weld it at ride height. They have alot of nice options and upgrades too.

Wes

[MrQuick]

All the work your doing to stick that big fat meat under the front fenders of your car along with all the other custom stuff, I'm surprised you aren't going the full chassis route.

AME definitely does awesome stuff. I would still be ordering a full AME chassis if I could have found a more inexpensive way to do 6x4.5" bolt pattern to use my Viper wheels on the C6 front.

run an adapter since the Viper wheels carry such a large offset.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

I LOVE my AME.. the car handles like its one some damn roller coaster tracks.

[wellis77]

run an adapter since the Viper wheels carry such a large offset.

Looked into it but the but the adaptors would be too thick to get the correct track. I'm all good now. The fun is in the build right...:dunno:

[MrQuick]

Hey Will, next time you get around to it can you measure the rear quarter panel width for me? I wanna say its 68-69" but I just wanted to check.


Thanks, Vince

[Motorcitydak]

Great, now my thoughts are all twisted up....like a pretzel....I got a pretzel in my head!!

If you guys had to choose- Chris Alston's Chassisworks G-Machine front end or the AME C6? and why

I understand that either of these will be a very invasive procedure for the car and I will be fully responsible for getting it in and getting it in right. What I am looking at is durability, performance, geometry, cost, weight, customer service, ease of service/adjustments, etc...

[HUSTLESTUFF]

I think for what you're looking for, XV might be the way to go. I see that they have dropped their prices by $2000 for the level II which is the corvette spindles and LCA. The money you would spend fabbing in the clip would be way more than the level II. You show AME at 3600 but Xv is $5500 with killer shocks, rack and pinion and sway bar. Looks that the price would be real close, and it is engineered for the car. I'm using Hotchkis on my 69 and feel that that is an excellent upgrade. Mike

[MoparCar]

XV just gave me a quote last week for their Level II front. Yes they did lower prices mainly by offering four level of shocks (base is non adjustable) all the way to mono-tube remote res double adjustable. They are AFCO shocks but they will not sell the frame without shocks. They also offer the billet aluminum UCAs and splined sway bar mounts as an upgrade cost. The base is welded steel which is fine.

The one thing that keeps me from buying the XV frame is the ride height. Every picture I see of their system the car has a high ride height. I'm sure this is probably at the optimum geometry. A builder on Lat-G (Southern Rods?) is building two Mopars. In one of the threads they modified the upper shock mount for a lower ride height. I'm sure since they are AFCOs you could also get a different end length and screw on a different extension.

If going XVMotorsports, give The Mopar Super Center in South Carolina a call. They are typically cheaper than direct and real nice to deal with. I bought my 6.1 Hemi from them with no problems.

XV used to do a 10% off sale once a year also. I haven't seen it for a while.

Any XV dealers on PT.com???

Wes

[silver69camaro]

I think for what you're looking for, XV might be the way to go. I see that they have dropped their prices by $2000 for the level II which is the corvette spindles and LCA. The money you would spend fabbing in the clip would be way more than the level II. You show AME at 3600 but Xv is $5500 with killer shocks, rack and pinion and sway bar. Looks that the price would be real close, and it is engineered for the car. I'm using Hotchkis on my 69 and feel that that is an excellent upgrade. Mike

I never saw the quote, but $3600 should include all the items you mentioned. We can upgrade the shocks and sway bar of course if necessary.

I think you'll be happy with either route you choose, Steve. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Bryce]

Off topic

I looked at the XV stuff and it looks like the UCA is pointing down away from the chassis in every picture. It looks wrong. It also doesn't look like its at full droop.

[MrQuick]

can you post the picture in question

[Bryce]

can you post the picture in question

http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=64

[MrQuick]

gotcha.....thats not ride height. c5 LCA is a tiny bit up from level and steering matches.


heres a better shot at ride height weight.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Bryce]

cool thanks for the picture. It still doesnt look like it has a lot of camber gain. I know I cant tell by just looking. I know when I designed my front suspension I had flat LCAs and UCAs with a 10degree angle up towards the wheel.

THe XV stuff does sit high. It needs a drop spindle. Maybe you can match it up with the ATS drop spindle.

[MoparCar]

What would the options for a drop spindle be? Anything C5/C6 including the ATS?
Thanks, Wes

[MrQuick]

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?52597-Project-Bad-Penny-more-changes-because-done-is-boring&p=494090#post494090

mega bucks....they actually sit nice in person. not sure on the camber gain specs but they did do their homework.